Dialogue, Stage Directions, and Tone Practice

Which piece of dialogue best matches this stage direction?

(Without even looking at his son, still staring hard at his wife)

• “What do you want from me, Brother— that I quit school or just drop dead, which!”

• “In fact, here’s another fifty cents … Buy yourself some fruit today—or take a taxicab to school or something!”

• “Ruth Younger, what’s the matter with you today? You look

  like you could fall over right there.”

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

Which piece of dialogue best supports this stage direction?

(With fury)

• “What do you want from me, Brother— that I quit school or just drop dead, which!”

• “Honey, you never say nothing new. I listen to you every day, every night and every morning, and you never say nothing new.”

• “Well—he’s a little boy. Ain’t

  supposed to know ’bout housekeeping.”

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

Which stage direction best fits this piece of dialogue?

“Ruth Younger, what’s the matter with you today? You look

like you could fall over right there.”

• (Folding bedding)

• (Exits to the bathroom and bangs on the door)

• (Stopping suddenly and studying her daughter-in-law)

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

Which stage direction best fits this piece of dialogue?

"Beneatha, you got company--what's the matter with you? Walter Lee Younger, get down off that table and stop acting like a fool..."

• (with boredom)

• (having had enough, and embarrassed for the family)

• (Thinking. She speaks now with emphasis.)

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

(Quietly). Sometimes it's like I can see the future stretched out in front of me--just plain as day. The future, Mama. Hanging over there at the edge of my days. Just waiting for me--a big looming blank space--full of nothing. Just waiting for me. But it don't have to be. (Pause. Kneeling beside her chair.)

How would you describe Walter's tone here?

• passionate

• furious

• sarcastic

• silly

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

"Oh, let him go on out and drink himself to death! He makes me sick to my stomach!" (She flings her coat against him and exits to bedroom.)

How would you describe Ruth's tone?

• irritated

• shocked

• disgusted

• sarcastic

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

"What on earth is going on out there? These kids. (There are, as she throws open the window, the shouts of children rising up from the street. She sticks her head out to see better and calls out.) TRAVIS! TRAVIS... WHAT ARE YOU DOING DOWN THERE?"

How would you describe is Beneatha's tone?

• angry

• curious

• joking

• nostalgic

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3